Australian Shepherds protecting chickens?

[Cara]

That's all he could get to!! He killed eight in one go.

 

[jandmeg07]

We got our Aussie Patches, as a rescue from our humane society. Ironically, the reason the people gave for dropping him off there was that he was herding the chickens (after they had him herding their other livestock) and was killing the young ones, either by scaring them to death or nipping them. We got him over two years ago and just last spring got our first chickens. We were VERY cautious about letting him be anywhere near the birds at first. I was especially overprotective of my feathered babies. Instinctually, Patches AND our Doberman Finn wanted to chase them, but we would tell them no and then hold a chicken and love them with the dogs nearby, so they could tell that we treated the chickens the same way we treat them, with love. Eventually, both our boys caught on. Now, our last surviving hen Dixie comes into the house almost once a day to get treats and extra love and the boys leave her alone in here and outside when she's free ranging. Although our boys are really well behaved with our birds, I know that sometimes instinct just takes over. Especially when no one is there to supervise. So, when we are not home and the dogs are in the yard, the birds are in either the run or the coop. We have never had a predator problem near our yard and I don't know if that's because of the dogs' scent, or just because my boys are such good guard dogs...of their human AND feathered family.

 

[Duncan]

My Aussie ignored the chickens at first but lately has been trying to herd them. I guess when Ole Cocky spurs her butt she will stop that.

 

[Henrietta23]

Thanks Eponagirl. We have two other dogs who are not the fresh air lovers Jack was so they aren't much good at protecting chickens, particularly the pug!
I think we will look for a puppy of some sort this summer. I have summers off so it is a good time. I will definitely be taking the birds into consideration when we look at pups! I'd love to have another dog that would like to be outside watching over the yard the way Jack did.

 

[eponagirl]

Our aussies are from a top showline breeder (we have the "rejects", but we were only looking for pets anyway and at the time, aussie rescue had a waiting list...thus a breeder and the only one in northeast that had a female pup) I guess it depends on the lines of the breeder, the age, and the training of those dogs vs. others. Most aussies I have come across have a very strong work ethic so that is why I thought it unusual to hear of aussies not interested...mine are TOO interested!!

We have coyotes in the forests around us, so it is a good reminder to be weary of them too...yikes... we need a fort knox coop!

Anyway, I guess protection and free ranging comes down to common sense and making sure there is convenient coverage available for the chickens. It also sounds like dogs can be helpful as long as they aren't killing the chickens themselves. It's great to get everyone's thoughts and experiences!

 

[Pupsnpullets]

My aussie is safe with chickens but is very happy to run off hawks, crows, roadrunners and coyotes. Quite a handy chap to have around.

 

[jvls1942]

I have met only one Aussie up close and personnal.. he was a biter.. I should not judge a whole breed on one dog, I know..

I have a blue healer.. he ignores the chickens and I can leave him outside alone when we go away for the day.. I do know that he does actually chase foxes, and the foxes know it also.. and that is good enough for me.. one less predator to worry about..

I think any breed dog's presence near the flock is good for 90% protection..

....jiminwisc.......

 

[eponagirl]

Most aussies are considered "reserved" but usually friendly enough. Because they are a working breed, they need LOTS of exercise or mental stimulation...if not they act out in lots of ways that are not good. Good training and exposure goes a long way. Since we want chickens, I am hoping to get my dogs involved in some way to give them an additional "job"...of course only in ways that are safe for the chickens.

I like the way someone else suggested about letting the dogs be involved with everything that we do with the chickens (dogs under control on leash). Yes, it is going to be a busy spring!

 

[Henrietta23]

We are probably pretty near each other. We have a coyote/dog mix that we have seen in the area and fox as well. We have only had one predator loss and that was a broody hen who was hiding nextdoor. A fox got her because we couldn't find her hiding spot to bring her in one night. I felt awful.
Back to the dogs, we were told by the rescue people that they considered Jack to be a Golden Retriever in an Aussie's clothing! But he was turned in to them for chasing cows so he must have had some instincts at some point! We've been very lucky, and very careful with all the dogs we've had with our birds.
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[ruth]

I believe any dog can be taught to be around chickens without bothering them. I have six dogs, all sorts of breeds including mutts, and they all interact with my freeranging flock here on our farm and do not bother the chickens, ducks, peacocks or geese. The oldest dog is a German Shepherd and he is the only one that will actually "guard" them. You can put him anywhere with an open box of chicks on the floor and tell him to "guard" he won't let anything come near them - and the chicks are all still alive and well and accounted for each morning.

He will chase after and bark at any hawk (or buzzard) that flies over. We have a new GSD who is learning from him. Our MinPin likes to make one run/fly every once in awhile and will do a run-by just to watch one jump but has never actually tried to catch one and I have dozens of little baby chicks (1 week old and up) running around loose. We have a mutt that won't let any type of predator near the yard and she also doesn't bother any of the flock and finally we have two new Great Pyrenees puppies who we've only had for two weeks and they already go in and out of the coop without bothering anyone. Actually it's the peacocks that stalk the new puppies that worry me - I'm worried the peacocks will hurt my new puppies or peck their eyes out.

Peacocks are GREAT guarddogs.

Point is just about any dog can be taught that the flock is part of the family. I "teach" mine by having them loose and out and about with me as I go about my daily feedings and waterings or even just to sit amongst the other animals. I think a dog that is kept tied up or kept separate from the flock just bides its time and waits to get them. If they are amongst them day in and day out, they just become part of the pack. Even my two cats (used to be 4 cats) don't bother my freeranging flock.